INDUSTRY VISION FOR APPRENTICESHIPS
05/06/2013 Enginuity
The Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering sector is to offer to be a 'trailblazer' by piloting and implementing some of the recommendations in The Richard Review.The industry's vision of the future of apprenticeships was mapped out today (May 21st) in the consultation response submitted to the Department for Education and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.
The formal response to the Richard Review, developed by employers and supported by sector skills organisation Semta, sets out industry ambition to drive world-class standards in engineering frameworks.
It seeks active collaboration with other sectors to identify and share best practice -powering the uptake and value of the apprenticeship 'brand'.
Sarah Sillars, OBE, CEO of Semta said that unity and clarity is key for the right recommendations to be adopted.
"The industry knows that it can play a pivotal role in ensuring that apprenticeships continue to provide them with the flow of skilled personnel that underpins the government's Industrial Strategy and is crucial to the UK's economic growth.
"This is an opportunity to establish apprenticeship frameworks and programmes which deliver 100 per cent benefit to business and overcome the constraints that have been part of the previous system
"Semta is the catalyst to ensure that the sectors' voice is heard loud and clear. The industry welcomes improvement and change - but wants to preserve best practice."
Bill Twigg, Semta Apprenticeships Director said: "We have worked hard with numerous industry partners to ensure that we embrace the opportunity that the Richard Review brings.
"It is imperative that we get it right as this change is critical for the future."
Richard Hamer, BAE Systems' Education Director and Head of Early Career Programmes said: ''BAE Systems is delighted that the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering sector is able to speak with one voice in its response to the Richard Review.
"We look forward to working with Semta and our peer companies in our sector to use the Review as an opportunity to deliver further improvements to our apprenticeship programmes.''
Semta was asked to co-ordinate the Richard Review response by, among others, LEEAC (the Large Engineering Employers Apprenticeship Consortium).
LEEAC includes the key large employers in the sector- including BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Airbus, Jaguar Land Rover and Network Rail.
Semta has prioritised that the response recognises the needs and issues of SMEs (Small and Medium Sized Enterprises).
Among the key calls to action are:
-€¢ The formation of occupational/industrial partnerships - chaired by a sector employer with broad SME (Small and Medium sized Enterprises) representation to help design new standards for apprenticeships
-€¢ The formation of an employer led Sector Standards Setting body with responsibility for development, delivery and application of the national standard - supported by Sector Skills Councils
-€¢ Apprenticeship frameworks and related qualifications designed by employers for employers
-€¢ Greater rigour in assessor training
-€¢ All apprenticeships should contain an academic element
For further information, please visit: www.semta.org.uk
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